ShedsAndTents
Active Member
The most important week of your grow may very well the last, when they're not even growing. Far too many times has my tight living schedule interfered with arguably the most critical and sensitive process of quality cannabis.
My main problem?
Colorado is consistently low in humidity.
My first Colorado dry was completed in 3 days, resulting in permanently harsh and flat out nasty weed. Yes, I tried curing and rehydrating the flowers but to no avail. 20% ambient humidity.
The following involved a humidifier, but the humidity of the room dried in didn't raise but to 30%
After a few more failed attempts including a hot drying room evaporating terpenes leaving a smoother but flavorless smoke I have come to a both affordable and effective solution. Probably common but my research has yielded empty hands and I'd love to help others who are on a budget but enjoy growing.
Here is a cost rundown and list of materials, getting right to the point.
Grow tent -> 2x2($40) [3-6oz]
Humidity controller ($40) [InkBird]
Duct booster ($20) [Just about anywhere]
Cool mist humidifier/Dehumidifier ($40) [Depending on your consistent humidity, Just about anywhere]
Small oscillating fan ($35) [Optional, walmart is probably best]
Brushless fan controller ($25)
This is a simple setup although sometimes $200 can be quite a bit.
Humidifiers can be found at Goodwill as well as an oscillating fan for much cheaper. If you find your humidity is changing drastically, quickly, a fan controller will be your best friend(Set to low)
A very short oscillating fan shouldn't really be optional as the mist should never directly touch your flowers, especially if a warm mist humidifier is used however I have trust in the crafty/intelligent minds here.
Without going into too much detail as most have already ceased reading on I will explain.
Grow tent should be placed in a cool or even cold area, shed, maybe basement or just an unoccupied room
(Mine is in my living room)
Fan should be placed atop the tent and secured.
If in a dry area;
Fan should be connected to the
"High set point"
Humidifier should be connected to the "Low set point"
If in a humid area;
Fan should be consistently on low/connected to "Low set point"
Dehumidifier is set to "High set point"
If humidifying;
Oscillating fan must either face the mist of humidifier or pull the steam while oscillating (All away from direct flower contact) and be connected either alongside the humidifier or consistently on.
If dehumidifying, same as above except circulating air around the lower part of tent to help stabilize humidity instead of creating "humidity zones"
Never blow air directly across drying flowers. Even drying is key.
The best part of this solution is no matter the change in outside environments you can control a smaller environment much easier. No replacement parts necessary. One time purchase and most of all, a consistent dry everytime!!
Automating your dry can remove many stress factors after you've spent easily $200 in consumables not to mention time and if you're like me, many emotions.
Please do add any suggestions or comments as I myself will always accept suggestions for I accept my faults. My personal experience has improved exponentially.
Fun fact for those that have read this far!
Oxidation is the process of degradation through the exposure to oxygen.
This is unavoidable on the outside of the leaf surface but it is often increased on the inside by a common practice called wet trimming.
Experiment: If you have never done so before, cut a wet leaf at its surface and you will smell chlorophyll that has volitalized as a result of oxidation. Terpenes have a similar reaction but the chlorophyll supercedes the terpenes in both smell and oxidation.
Cut a high quality cured bud and it smells nothing like chlorophyll as the terpene content surpassed chlorophyll. Removing fan leaves at the stem and waiting for sugar leaves that would be trimmed while wet to have the chlorophyll degrade can increase terpene content ratio and help with any issues regarding a lingering "Hay" smell.
Super fun fact: Volatile chlorophyll has a half life of 90 minutes! Ever wondered where all that nitrogen is going?
Thank you for your time!
My main problem?
Colorado is consistently low in humidity.
My first Colorado dry was completed in 3 days, resulting in permanently harsh and flat out nasty weed. Yes, I tried curing and rehydrating the flowers but to no avail. 20% ambient humidity.
The following involved a humidifier, but the humidity of the room dried in didn't raise but to 30%
After a few more failed attempts including a hot drying room evaporating terpenes leaving a smoother but flavorless smoke I have come to a both affordable and effective solution. Probably common but my research has yielded empty hands and I'd love to help others who are on a budget but enjoy growing.
Here is a cost rundown and list of materials, getting right to the point.
Grow tent -> 2x2($40) [3-6oz]
Humidity controller ($40) [InkBird]
Duct booster ($20) [Just about anywhere]
Cool mist humidifier/Dehumidifier ($40) [Depending on your consistent humidity, Just about anywhere]
Small oscillating fan ($35) [Optional, walmart is probably best]
Brushless fan controller ($25)
This is a simple setup although sometimes $200 can be quite a bit.
Humidifiers can be found at Goodwill as well as an oscillating fan for much cheaper. If you find your humidity is changing drastically, quickly, a fan controller will be your best friend(Set to low)
A very short oscillating fan shouldn't really be optional as the mist should never directly touch your flowers, especially if a warm mist humidifier is used however I have trust in the crafty/intelligent minds here.
Without going into too much detail as most have already ceased reading on I will explain.
Grow tent should be placed in a cool or even cold area, shed, maybe basement or just an unoccupied room
(Mine is in my living room)
Fan should be placed atop the tent and secured.
If in a dry area;
Fan should be connected to the
"High set point"
Humidifier should be connected to the "Low set point"
If in a humid area;
Fan should be consistently on low/connected to "Low set point"
Dehumidifier is set to "High set point"
If humidifying;
Oscillating fan must either face the mist of humidifier or pull the steam while oscillating (All away from direct flower contact) and be connected either alongside the humidifier or consistently on.
If dehumidifying, same as above except circulating air around the lower part of tent to help stabilize humidity instead of creating "humidity zones"
Never blow air directly across drying flowers. Even drying is key.
The best part of this solution is no matter the change in outside environments you can control a smaller environment much easier. No replacement parts necessary. One time purchase and most of all, a consistent dry everytime!!
Automating your dry can remove many stress factors after you've spent easily $200 in consumables not to mention time and if you're like me, many emotions.
Please do add any suggestions or comments as I myself will always accept suggestions for I accept my faults. My personal experience has improved exponentially.
Fun fact for those that have read this far!
Oxidation is the process of degradation through the exposure to oxygen.
This is unavoidable on the outside of the leaf surface but it is often increased on the inside by a common practice called wet trimming.
Experiment: If you have never done so before, cut a wet leaf at its surface and you will smell chlorophyll that has volitalized as a result of oxidation. Terpenes have a similar reaction but the chlorophyll supercedes the terpenes in both smell and oxidation.
Cut a high quality cured bud and it smells nothing like chlorophyll as the terpene content surpassed chlorophyll. Removing fan leaves at the stem and waiting for sugar leaves that would be trimmed while wet to have the chlorophyll degrade can increase terpene content ratio and help with any issues regarding a lingering "Hay" smell.
Super fun fact: Volatile chlorophyll has a half life of 90 minutes! Ever wondered where all that nitrogen is going?
Thank you for your time!